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Inside the Mind of an Accused Terrorist

What led a suburban teen to fantasize about joining up with ISIS terrorists in the Middle East? NBC5 Investigates takes a look at his writings and other evidence, that show what was going on inside his mind. Tammy Leitner reports. (Published Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014)

Mohammed Hamza Khan seemed like any other teenager living in the Chicago suburbs. He goofed around with his friends, worked part time, and went to college. But this 19-year-old may have had a dark and unusual secret

Federal agents arrested Khan in October at O’Hare international Airport trying to board a plane for Austria and then Turkey. Law enforcement officials say Khan was planning to join the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria, the terrorist group known worldwide for public beheadings and a progressive social media campaign aimed at recruiting westerners.

“It’s a very serious charge of allegedly traveling over there to join ISIL,” said Mohammed Kaiserrudin, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.

Chicago Islamic Leaders React to Teen's Arrest

There's little doubt Mohammed Hamza Khan was radicalized over the Internet, before he allegedly tried to leave his home in the Chicago suburbs, to join ISIS terrorists. Leaders in Chicago's Muslim community say they are working hard to stop the same thing from happening to other teens. Tammy Leitner investigates.

(Published Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014)

In an unprecedented move earlier this month, the government released 21 exhibits during Khan’s detention hearing, including his journal entries, sketches and his most private thoughts. Some are in English, others Arabic. NBC 5 Investigates had Khan’s writings translated by two different experts.

“My first impression is that this is a disturbed young man,” said Governors State University Professor Khalil Marrar. “But when I dig deeper, when I actually start looking at his words there’s a lot of stuff that begins to make sense as to his motivation.”

Khan’s school notebook is filled with Arabic passages from the Quran - written on the same pages as his notes for math and science.

“I think these are definitely the writings of a teenager struggling with his identity,” said Marrar. “This person is confused about who they are and they’re trying to sort of play that out literally on paper.”

If interpreted literally some of his Arabic writings clearly point to violence.

“It suggests he’s praising the fact they are killing infidels,” said Marrar. “Liar, dog, monkey, pig, those are all terms used to describe people who are infidels.”

Khan’s attorney Thomas Durkin argues that his client did not act on his thoughts. The US Attorney’s office declined to comment. But both sides of this legal case say there is little doubt khan was radicalized over the internet.

Durkin says Khan and his 16-year-old brother and 17-year-old sister were recruited in just a matter of months. Khan’s younger siblings were detained and questioned by Federal agents, but not charged. Durkin says that the recruiters used an anonymous texting app Kik – which has roughly 120 million users – to communicate with them.

“That’s what should be most frightening to parents that this didn’t take very long,” said Durkin.

A very real concern within the Muslim community.

“They’re concerned about their own children,” said Mohammed Kaiseruddin, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago. “Are they subject to this kind of radicalization - This kind of drastic steps that Mohammed Khan did?”

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